Alexandrine

¹

or al·ex·an·drine

[ al-ig-zan-drin, -dreen, -zahn- ]

noun

1. a verse or line of poetry of twelve syllables.

adjective

1. of or relating to such a verse or line.

Alexandrine

²

[ al-ig-zan-drin, -dreen, -zahn- ]

adjective

1. of or relating to Alexandria, Egypt.

Alexandrine

/ -ˈzɑːn-; ˌælɪɡˈzændraɪn; -drɪn /

noun

1. a line of verse having six iambic feet, usually with a caesura after the third foot

adjective

1. of, characterized by, or written in Alexandrines

Word History and Origins

Origin of Alexandrine¹

First recorded in 1580–90; from Middle French alexandrin, after Alexandre, from the use of this meter in an Old French poem on Alexander the Great ( def ); -ine ¹

Origin of Alexandrine²

First recorded in 1490–1500; Alexandr(ia) + -ine ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of Alexandrine¹

C16: from French alexandrin, from Alexandre, title of 15th-century poem written in this metre

Example Sentences

I'd love to hear that voice of yours revving on some alexandrine verse.

From The Daily Beast

In his use of French Alexandrine, or twelve-syllable verse, Mistral takes few liberties as to cæsura.

From Project Gutenberg

Alexandrine has resolved to instruct her daughter by her example; she is delightful and happy.

From Project Gutenberg

There was a revolt against the pseudo-antique, against the stiff handling of the Alexandrine metre, against the yoke of tradition.

From Project Gutenberg

But at this time Trypho, the Alexandrine architect, was there.

From Project Gutenberg

The verse of twelve syllables, called an Alexandrine, is now only used to diversify heroick lines.

From Project Gutenberg